Spanish manager Rafa Benitez and Newcastle United have reached an agreement that would see him remain at the club, according to Sky Sports sources. Benitez will sign a three-year contract with the club and the manager will have full control over Newcastle's transfers policy. The Spaniard already had a three-year contract with the club after replacing Steve McClaren in March, but the deal included an option to cancel the agreement at the end of the season in case of relegation.
The Magpies got relegated despite a 5-1 victory over Tottenham in the last match of the season. Benitez revealed after that match that he would like to continue his work at Newcastle, mostly thanks to the support from the club's fans. He said after that match: "I said I am quite open and I am quite pleased with everything, the staff, everything, now it's just to be sure that we have to do what we have to do to be sure that we can go up if I stay here. They know, we have been talking. I have the same feeling as the fans, they want a strong team next season to be sure we go up again. The way and the ideas will not be difficult to have, to have similar ideas, but we have to sit down and make sure of everything."
Rafa Benitez is one of the most successful football managers in Europe. He has won two Primera Liga titles and the UEFA Cup with Valencia, then the FA Cup and the Champions League with Liverpool, the Europa League with Chelsea and the Italian Cup with Napoli. He got sacked by Real Madrid at the beginning of 2016, after just six months in charge, following a breakdown in his relationship with the star players at the club.
Newcastle are 5/2 at SkyBet to win the Championship next season.
sharpe 7 years ago
I'm not surprised by that decision of Rafa, there are too much money in English football, even at Championship and he's not the most wanted manager in the world at this moment so like I all ready said - not a huge surprise. Certainly Newcastle fans will be hoping he'll get back immediately the team where they believe it...
I'm not surprised by that decision of Rafa, there are too much money in English football, even at Championship and he's not the most wanted manager in the world at this moment so like I all ready said - not a huge surprise. Certainly Newcastle fans will be hoping he'll get back immediately the team where they believe it should belongs - in the Premier League of course.
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Cobra69 7 years ago
From Real Madrid and Champions League to Newcastle and second league, but I think that this is good desicion, he is solid coach, Newcastle have great team and I think that they are big favourites in Championship, Benitez knows how to play on result, so... I expect Newcastle in Premier League in season 2016/18 that's sure...
From Real Madrid and Champions League to Newcastle and second league, but I think that this is good desicion, he is solid coach, Newcastle have great team and I think that they are big favourites in Championship, Benitez knows how to play on result, so... I expect Newcastle in Premier League in season 2016/18 that's sure :)
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Milaneli 7 years ago
I have never been a fan of this guy. Rafa Benitez did win that amazing Champions League final with Liverpool in Istanbul. But that is about it. He never came even close to winning Premier League with Liverpool, he "destroyed" Mourinho's Inter, Napoli is playing twice better since he left and he had disaster episode in Real...
I have never been a fan of this guy. Rafa Benitez did win that amazing Champions League final with Liverpool in Istanbul. But that is about it. He never came even close to winning Premier League with Liverpool, he "destroyed" Mourinho's Inter, Napoli is playing twice better since he left and he had disaster episode in Real Madrid. And now he failed to remain Premier League team with Newcastle, after drawing with Aston Villa who before that lost like 10 games in a row. I would love to see Newcastle in EPL in fall 2017, but since I dislike Rafa, I am not so sure.
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